Filmmaker 'Kaouther Ben Hania' is without a doubt a woman of principles. She told a story about the ongoing cruelty in Gaza, for some time now. Without question, she did the right thing; her film makes sure that the world can witness this needless tragedy forever.
"Director of ‘The Voice of Hind Rajab’ rejects Berlinale award"
by Anadolu Agency
ISTANBUL
Feb 19, 2026
"Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, nominee for Best International
Feature Film "The Voice of Hind Rajab," poses during a photo session
ahead of the 98th Oscars Nominees Luncheon at the Beverly Hilton hotel
in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., Feb. 10, 2026. (AFP Photo) "
"The director of "The Voice of Hind Rajab" declined to accept an award at the Berlin International Film Festival this week after an Israeli general was recognized at the same event.
Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania chose not to receive the "Most
Valuable Film” award at the "Cinema for Peace” gathering on Monday,
which took place alongside the festival and left the trophy behind.
In her remarks, she said she felt a sense of responsibility rather
than gratitude, using the moment to make a statement about justice and
accountability for Hind Rajab, a 5-year-old Palestinian girl who was
killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza in 2024, while rescuers attempting to
reach her were also fired upon.
"Justice means accountability. Without accountability, there is no peace.
"The Israeli army killed Hind Rajab; killed her family; killed the
two paramedics who came to save her, with the complicity of the world’s
most powerful governments and institutions.
"I refuse to let their deaths become a backdrop for a polite speech
about peace. Not while the structures that enabled them remain
untouched,” she said.
"So tonight, I will not take this award home. I leave it here as a
reminder. And when peace is pursued as a legal and moral obligation,
rooted in accountability for genocide, then I will come back and accept
it with joy."
Ben Hania added that Hind’s death was "not an exception, it's part of
a genocide,” criticizing political figures who describe large-scale
civilian killings as "self-defense” or "complex circumstances” while
undermining demonstrators.
"Peace requires justice and accountability, not glossy slogans," she said.
The "Voice of Hind Rajab" is based on the true story of Hind Rajab,
who was trapped in her family car on Jan. 29, 2024, after it came under
Israeli army fire in Gaza City and was found dead after nearly two weeks
of uncertainty.
Hind was traveling with her family, including her 15-year-old cousin
Layan Hamadeh, fleeing fighting in northern Gaza, when they came under
Israeli fire, according to the Palestine Red Crescent.
The film centers on the audio recording of Hind’s final phone call to
the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, in which she pleaded for help.
The incident drew global criticism after reports emerged that Israel
had initially sought to deny her death, along with claims that the
killing was unjust."
Hopefully this film, in question, can be viewed soon on YouTube.
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